Half Hollow Hills flag football's Samantha Heyman, Zoe Franks form dynamic duo to key win over Longwood
Zoe Franks of host Half Hollow Hills runs for a touchdown after a pass from Samantha Heyman during a Suffolk League I flag football game on Friday. Credit: David Meisenholder
It was a matchup of two programs who have mastered both sides of the game.
The Half Hollow Hills flag football team’s elite offense met its match against Longwood’s stifling defense in a Suffolk I matchup in Dix Hills on Friday. It took all four quarters, but the Red Colts prevailed.
Samantha Heyman tossed two touchdown passes and ran for another in Half Hollow Hills’ 27-20 victory. Both teams entered the game undefeated, a testament to the level of play.
“We know that every time we play Longwood, it’s a rivalry,” said Hills coach Mike Lupa. “There’s an intense atmosphere to it and it’s been that way since the beginning. We know the target is big on our back and we just have to rise to the challenge every time.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Heyman turned on the offense Hills (8-0, 7-0) is known for. Four minutes into the second quarter, she launched one of the scoring passes to Zoe Franks, who completed the 50-yarder to put the first points on the board. Heyman later connected with Franks again for a 14-yard touchdown to close the half with a 13-0 lead.
“Ever since my freshman year, me and Sammy have had that click,” Franks said. “We’ve grown and developed the more we’ve played together and we’re friends off the field too, which has only accelerated that growth.”
On April 22, Heyman eclipsed the 10,000 mark for career passing yards in a 49-13 win over Smithtown. To her, returning to the field and taking down an undefeated opponent makes the accomplishment even sweeter.
“The stats are one thing, but the performance and being with my teammates is what I’m really grateful for,” Heyman said. “It’s my senior year, so I don't take any game I have left for granted. To bring that momentum into today was just really special.”
Longwood (8-1) quarterback Claire Sclafani ran for two touchdowns and passed for another in the second half, but when Longwood’s offense got going, the Red Colts’ defense stepped up. Emma Wilck and Laila D’Haiti each pulled down an interception in the third quarter and, when the Lions attempted an onside kick with two minutes remaining in the fourth, Heyman knocked it down.
With impact performances on both sides of the ball, Lupa said Heyman is a difference-maker in challenging games like this one.
“She’s one of a kind,” Lupa said. “As an athlete, person, leader. I throw so much at her and it’s such a blessing as a coach to know I can trust her every step of the way. She’s willing to give it her all every time she goes out there.”
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
